Sect demands security for members

The Islamist sect, b, wants guarantee of non arrest or killing of its members from the federal government in the on-going negotiation between the two sides.

Leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau had said that the only condition the more than 200 school girls it seized in Borno would be released is for government to free Boko Haram members being held by security agencies.

President Goodluck Jonathan has ruled out swapping such high risk criminals for the girls although government seems disposed to letting go wives and kids of Boko Haram leaders and members considered to be less dangerous.

The talks are ongoing through some intermediaries including some elders from Borno State.

The sect is said to be demanding the release of some of its members in custody for the release of the girls, including those convicted.

They are also asking for a guarantee that none of their members would either be arrested or killed by the military and security agencies as being done indiscriminately at present.

Some of the members in custody, according to records released by the State Security Service (SSS), are: Ali Sanda Umar Konduga (a.k.a Usman Al-Zawahiri), who was jailed for three years in December 2011; Ismail Kwaljima (a.ka. Abu Summaya); Babagana Mali (a.k.a Bulama); and Kabiru Sokoto, who is still on trial.

Two of the Boko Haram leaders (Bashir Madalla and Habeeb Umar Bama) had died during alleged shoot-out with the JTF and security agencies.

A suspect, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche (who was arrested in Sudan) is expected to join the list.

The list is outside 19 Boko Haram leaders declared wanted by the JTF with N290million ransom placed on them.

A government source said: “It is extremely difficult for government to swap some of these members implicated in bomb explosions with the abducted girls.

“The terrorism Act does not allow this. The criminal justice system does not also support it. But the government may concede some waivers in respect of the wives, children, parents, brothers, uncles or relations of some of these Boko Haram members in custody.

At least, there are about 300 to 400 Boko Haram suspects in various facilities whose case files are being reviewed by relevant desks.